Several key candidates in the upcoming BMC elections 2026, including former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar, have reported a significant increase in their assets since 2017, according to affidavits submitted to the State Election Commission, news agency PTI reported.
A total of 1,700 candidates are contesting the 227-ward Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for January 15.
Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate and ex-mayor Pednekar, contesting from Lower Parel (ward 199) in central Mumbai, has declared total assets of Rs 5.26 crore – a 226% jump from Rs 1.61 crore in 2017, as per PTI. Of this, Rs 4.69 crore accounts for immovable assets, while movable assets stand at Rs 57 lakh. Pednekar served as Mumbai’s mayor from 2019 to 2022.
Political activity has picked up across Maharashtra as campaigns for the Municipal Corporation elections are now in full swing. Parties like the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Congress are finalising their plans while also trading sharp allegations and making quick political moves.
Raj Thackeray announced Thursday that he will join Uddhav Thackeray for a joint election rally in Thane on January 12, according to a report by PTI.
The Election Commission is preparing logistics and security to ensure smooth voting on January 15 (Thursday), with results to be declared the next day on January 16 (Friday).
12 suspended Congress councillors join BJP
In an important development, 12 suspended Congress councillors from the Ambernath municipal council joined the BJP on Thursday in the presence of Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan. This happened just a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday that the BJP will not form an alliance with Congress in Ambernath.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday released its manifesto for the BMC elections. The party has promised inclusive development, transparent governance and major infrastructure improvements to make Mumbai a global city. Their key plans include building 500 km of new roads in the next five years, improving bridges and flyovers, using AI-based traffic management systems, and creating new economic hubs in places like BKC, Worli and the eastern suburbs to increase job opportunities.
The Mumbai Congress also released its manifesto on Tuesday. It has promised steps to improve the city’s air quality and a universal health card that would allow people to get free medicines.
BMC election 2026 voting date and time
The State Election Commission has announced that voting for the BMC election 2026 will take place on January 15 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm in all 227 wards of Mumbai.
These elections will also include polls for 20 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra, making it one of the biggest civic election exercises in the state.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: 'We’ll free Mumbai from Bangladeshis'
“We’ll free Mumbai from Bangladeshis. We’ve deported the highest so far. With AI, we’ll identify and deport 100% Bangladeshis. AI tool will be ready in 6 months. Soon, there will be 10,000 BEST buses on the roads. We’ll identify and deport illegal Bangladeshis. Don’t worry about those leaders who’ve failed,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Public transport overhaul promised in manifesto
The Mahayuti leaders also promised to introduce a series of travel reforms --- including a 50% reservation for women on Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport buses. Shinde also highlighted plans to "invest Rs 17,000 crores to make Mumbai pollution-free" and strengthen roads to ensure the city was "pothole-free". Fadnavis said the alliance aimed to expand the BEST fleet from around 5,000 to 10,000 buses and switch to electric vehicles. New "midi" and "mini" services would be used to improve last-mile connectivity around Metro and railway stations.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Fadnavis, Shinde launch BMC manifesto
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader joins Eknath Shinde's faction
Former MLA Dagdu Sakpal has quit Shiv Sena (UBT) and joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena ahead of the BMC elections. Sakpal formally joined the party in the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday.
Earlier on Thursday, 12 suspended Congress corporators from Maharashtra's Ambernath municipal council had also joined the BJP.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Mahayuti releases BMC poll manifesto
Mahayuti releases BMC poll manifesto
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Sanjay Raut targets BJP, NCP - 'Pune known as city of goons'
Ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would have given a ticket to Dawood Ibrahim's relatives if they had met with him.
While addressing a public rally here, he said that the Mahayuti can't win elections without hooliganism. Raut argued that Pune, once known for its beauty, is known as a "city of goons".
"Pune was once a very beautiful city, but today it is known as a city of goons. Whether it is the BJP or Ajit Pawar's party, there is hardly any gang whose relatives have not been given election tickets by these parties. I once said that if these people had met Dawood, they would have given tickets to his brother or relatives, including Chhota Shakeel and Chhota Rajan. These people cannot win elections without hooliganism," Raut said.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Thackerays can still shut down Mumbai in minutes, says Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut opined on Sunday that Uddhav Thackeray and his estranged cousin Raj Thackeray had reunited "because they prioritised the nation".
"The Thackerays can never be wiped out. We can still shut down Mumbai in 10 minutes...The Thackeray brothers are a brand. If Thackerays survive, Marathi Manoos will survive," the Rajya Sabha MP told NDTV.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Supriya Sule targets Mahayuti over Thane civic woes
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule took a swipe at the ruling Mahayuti on Sunday --- claiming Thane was projected as a "civilised" city while facing a barrage of issues.
"But where exactly did this money go? Why are basic facilities still not available to citizens even after so many years?" reports quoted Sule as asking.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Shinde says Mahayuti 'removed speed breakers' in work done by CM
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Raj Thackeray willing to 'even join hands with Donald Trump'
"To ensure the survival of Maharashtra, if Donald Trump says tomorrow that I will criticize this, then Donald Trump will also do it for me. But survival is important. Maharashtra, Marathi language and Marathi people are bigger than anything," Raj Thackeray told NDTV.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Fadnavis takes dig at Ajit Pawar over corruption allegations
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday took a veiled dig at his deputy Ajit Pawar by claiming opponents were venting out their frustration and anger due to the development work done by the BJP. They are trying to divert focus from development to issues that create unnecessary debate and disputes since they have nothing to show by way of work, Fadnavis said at a rally in Pimpri Chinchwad.
Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party is part of the BJP-led Mahayuti, but the two parties are fighting the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic polls separately. Instead, the Pawar-led NCP has tied up with its rival NCP (SP) in these two areas.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Govt announces public holiday on Jan 15
The Maharashtra government has declared a public holiday on January 15 in Mumbai for civic polls.
"The public holiday will apply across Mumbai, including the city and the eastern and western suburbs. Government and semi-government offices, public sector units, banks and other establishments will remain closed on that day. The government order also applies to voters registered in Mumbai but working outside the city, allowing them to vote," said a release from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: No BJP manifesto for Mumbai civic polls?
The BJP has not released its manifesto for the Mumbai BMC civic polls --- with less than a week left till voting day. The party had reportedly planned to launch the document in early January, based on its 'Awaaz Mumbaikarancha' citizen survey.
"With just five days left for the polls, the BJP has no agenda, no vision or direction and no manifesto for the city of Mumbai. It is speaking on abstract ideas, issues about the failure of the BJP's union government to control cross-border infiltration, but nothing about the city. Maybe as a last-minute idea, it will release one that is even more abstract, like 2047, Vikasit Bharat and some more fictional ideation with astronomical numbers," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray wrote on X.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Sena (UBT) seeks arrest of BJP leader over 'Bombay is not a Maharashtra city' remark
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday demanded that BJP leader K Annamalai be arrested for his remark while campaigning for the civic elections that "Bombay is not a Maharashtra city".
State BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said a statement could be misunderstood, and it should be found out what exactly he meant.
"(Narendra) Modi ji at the Centre, Devendra (Fadnavis) ji at the state and a BJP mayor in the BMC...because Bombay is not a Maharashtra city. It is an international city," Annamalai said on Friday ahead of the January 15 elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Latching on to the remark, Raut pointed out that Annamalai was the BJP's star campaigner, and sought to know if this was the saffron party's official stand.
"You should file a case against him here. How can he talk like this about Maharashtra's capital? The CM should file a case against him and arrest him. He should not be allowed to leave Mumbai," the Sena (UBT) leader said.
Raut also demanded that chief minister Fadnavis make his stand clear on this, and targeted the Shiv Sena led by deputy CM Eknath Shinde, a BJP ally.
"Where is your self-respect? How helpless are you," Raut asked the Shinde-led Sena.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: What is happening in Ambernath?
After the December 20 local body polls, the local unit of the BJP joined hands with its arch-rival, Congress, under the banner of 'Ambernath Vikas Aghadi' to gain power in the municipal council --- sidelining ally, Shiv Sena, which had emerged as the single largest party. The Aghadi also included Ajit Pawar-led NCP, another BJP ally in the state government.
Left red-faced after the unforeseen tie-up, the Congress on Wednesday suspended 12 of its councillors and a block president.
On Friday, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the NCP, headed by Ajit Pawar, along with one independent member, formed a group to stake a claim to rule the Ambernath local body by keeping the BJP away from power.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Aditya Thackeray cites 'plot to separate Mumbai like Chandigarh'
Shiv Sena MLA Aditya Thackeray has alleged that there is a BJP-led plot underway to 'break Mumbai like Chandigarh'. The politician was speaking at the 'Loksatta Lok Samvad' program when he said the BJP government at the Centre was planning to separate Chandigarh from Punjab and Haryana and make it a Union Territory. He claimed the party had a similar outcome in mind for Mumbai.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Maha Assembly Speaker's brother shows Rs 124 cr in assets
Makrand Narwekar is among the wealthiest candidates for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election with declared assets of Rs 124.4 crore. The younger brother of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar saw his assets (which include the assets of his wife) grow 1,868% compared to nine years ago. He is seeking a third term from ward no 226 on a BJP ticket.
Among other 'high net worth' candidates, Rahul Narwekar's sister-in-law Harshita Narwekar, who is contesting from ward number 225, has declared assets of Rs 63.62 crore.
Samadhan Sarvankar, son of former Shiv Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar, has declared assets of Rs 46.59 crore, while Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate and former mayor Shraddha Jadhav has declared assets of Rs 46.34 crore.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Congress says SEC took cognisance of complaint against Fadnavis
The Congress on Saturday claimed that the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has taken cognisance of its complaint alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. SEC sources told Indian Express they had received a complaint from the Congress, but did not confirm if any action was taken on it.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Health and environment take centre stage
Congress focuses on universal health cards and free medicines, while NCP emphasizes infrastructure and AI-driven traffic solutions, making citizen-centric issues central to campaigns.
Pune, Maharashtra: On PMC Election 2026, Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson & Shiv Sena Leader Neelam Gorhe says, "... Yesterday our party leader and Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde was in Pune, and we have had thunderstorm meetings in Katraj. People from different places came out on the streets in support..."
Via ANI
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Congress claims SEC takes cognisance on CM Fadnavis for breaking model code of conduct
The Congress on Saturday claimed that the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has taken cognisance of its complaint alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
SEC sources said they had received a complaint from the Congress, but did not confirm if any action was taken on it.
According to the Congress, the complaint concerns an interview given by Fadnavis to a private television channel on January 2 while travelling on the Mumbai Metro.
State Congress general secretary Dhananjay Shinde said in a release the party had objected to the interview as it amounted to the “misuse of public transport facilities and violation of model code”.
Via PTI
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) target BJP for not yet releasing manifesto
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) on Saturday targeted the BJP for not yet releasing its manifesto for the January 15 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls and asserted the ruling party has no vision for the metropolis.
In a post on X, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said, "With just five days left for the polls, the BJP has no agenda, no vision or direction and no manifesto for the city of Mumbai." It is speaking on abstract ideas, issues about the failure of the BJP's union government to control cross border infiltration but nothing about the city.
May be as a last minute idea, it will release one that is even more abstract like 2047, Vikasit Bharat and some more fictional ideation with astronomical numbers, Thackeray said.
"The point is: they looted Mumbai for the past 4 years with their state government and absence of elected BMC. We have published our work, our achievements, our manifesto performance and our vision'¦ The BJP, doesn't care about Mumbai," he said on X.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Govinda campaigns for Shiv Sena candidate, speaks on role of artists in politics
Actor and Shiv Sena leader Govinda was seen campaigning on the streets of Mumbai on Friday for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The actor-turned-politician joined the election campaign to seek public support for the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Govinda rode through Mumbai's Kamathipura in an open jeep as part of the campaign. Large crowds gathered on the streets to see him, take pictures, and cheer for the actor.
On Saturday, while speaking to ANI, Govinda explained why people from the film industry should take an interest in politics and public life. He also shared how he feels the atmosphere has changed in recent years, making people from the creative field feel more secure.
"Good art cannot flourish unless there is a good atmosphere.
After so many years, we are now seeing a positive atmosphere. Otherwise, with a famous name, respect, fame, wealth, we've seen all sorts of troubles connected to these," he told ANI.
"Since this government came to power, it now feels like we can move forward, we can work, and there won't be troubles. We've come out of this fear, and the current government has played a big role in helping us with that," he added.
-Via ANI
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Maharashtra govt announces public holiday on Jan 15 for civic polls
The Maharashtra government has declared a public holiday on January 15 in Mumbai for civic polls. In a release issued on Saturday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said the holiday has been announced through an order of the state's General Administration and Industries and Labour departments.
"The public holiday will apply across Mumbai, including the city and the eastern and western suburbs. Government and semi-government offices, public sector units, banks and other establishments will remain closed on that day. The government order also applies to voters registered in Mumbai but working outside the city, allowing them to vote," the release said.
The Congress on Saturday claimed that the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has taken cognisance of its complaint alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
SEC sources said they had received a complaint from the Congress, but did not confirm if any action was taken on it. According to the Congress, the complaint concerns an interview given by Fadnavis to a private television channel on January 2 while travelling on the Mumbai Metro.
State Congress general secretary Dhananjay Shinde said in a release the party had objected to the interview as it amounted to the “misuse of public transport facilities and violation of model code”.
Shinde said the Congress submitted a “final reminder” to the State Election Commissioner on January 9, highlighting “key issues, video evidence and relevant legal provisions” linked to the alleged model code violation.
-Via PTI
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Maharashtra Assembly Speaker's brother shows Rs 124 cr assets in affidavit
Makrand Narwekar, younger brother of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, is among the wealthiest candidates for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election with declared assets of Rs 124.4 crore.
Seeking a third term from ward no 226 on a BJP ticket, Makrand could be the wealthiest candidate in the BMC elections.
Among other 'high net worth' candidates, Samadhan Sarvankar, son of former Shiv Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar, has declared assets of Rs 46.59 crore, while Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate and former mayor Shraddha Jadhav has declared assets of Rs 46.34 crore.
As per his affidavit filed with the Election Commission, Makrand Narwekar's assets (which include the assets of his wife) grew 1,868 per cent compared to nine years ago.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: 100 concrete roads, 300-bed hospital among key promises of BJP for Mira Bhayandar
Construction of over 100 new concrete roads, establishment of a 300-bed civil hospital, measures to mitigate air and noise pollution are some of the key promises that the BJP mentioned in its manifesto for the citizens of Mira Bhayandar in Thane district ahead of the civic polls.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP President Ravindra Chavan and local MLA Narendra Mehta on Friday released the party's manifesto for the January 15 elections to the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) elections during a rally.
The manifesto, titled 'Resolve for the Development of Mira-Bhayandar emphasizes a 'triple engine' government, leveraging BJP's rule at the Center and the state to accelerate local developments.
Construction of over 100 new concrete roads to ensure a pothole-free city, addition of new bus services, and a dedicated shared rickshaw system are some of the promises mentioned in the manifesto.
-Via PTI
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: SIT report flags 'conspiracy to falsely implicate' Fadnavis, Shinde in 2016 case
A recent Special Investigation Team (SIT) report submitted to the Maharashtra Home Department has triggered fresh political and administrative tremors.
The report alleges an attempt to falsely implicate Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in a criminal case during the previous regime, when Fadnavis was Leader of the Opposition and Shinde was a minister in Uddhav Thackeray's cabinet.
The findings of the SIT led by former DGP Rashmi Shukla, compiled after months of inquiry, suggest that the revival of an old 2016 police case in Thane district was not a routine legal exercise but part of a calculated effort to target the two senior leaders, LoP and Cabinet Minister of the time.
According to the report, several police officers were pressured to shape the investigation to justify action against Fadnavis and Shinde, despite a lack of substantive evidence.
The SIT, in its final report, recommended criminal action against former Maharashtra Director General of Police Sanjay Pandey and two other senior officers associated with the case at the time. The report points to internal communications, recorded conversations, and inconsistencies in official records as indicators of undue influence on the investigation process.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Alliances under strain
Mahayuti’s traditional dynamics are under pressure as BJP, Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and NCP contest separately, while Congress councillors defect to BJP, reshaping local political equations.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: BJP unveils Navi Mumbai manifesto
BJP unveiled its Navi Mumbai manifesto focused on local development, coinciding with 12 Congress councillors from Ambernath joining the party, reinforcing the “double engine” development narrative.